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Research

Northumbria is a research-rich, business-focused, professional university with a global reputation for academic quality. We conduct ground-breaking research that is responsive to the science & technology, health & well being, economic and social and arts & cultural needs for the communities

About Us

Northumbria University is based in the heart of Newcastle upon Tyne, which is regularly voted the best place in the UK for students who are attracted by our excellent academic reputation, our top 10 graduate employment record and our outstanding campus and sports facilities.

Police Research and Education Network

Assessed as world-leading and internationally-excellent, research to develop the evidence base for contemporary policing is conducted across Northumbria University. Our work is characterised as:

Informing policy and practice. For example, through re-orienting Police response to youth offenders, or shaping the policing of wildlife trafficking across the EU, or helping design offender support programmes delivered by Police, Probation and third sector groups.

Providing wide-ranging, cutting-edge science and applied research;

Working in partnership with the Police and agencies regionally, nationally, within European networks and internationally;

Research Themes

Current Research Activity

Undergraduate Placement Student’s Dissertation Research:

The Social Sciences Dissertation Work Experience module provides a rare opportunity for our most talented students to undertake a research based dissertation with an external organisation. Northumbria University is proud to work with Northumbria Police to offer student research dissertation placements. Students spend 1 day a week on placement and undertake an agreed research project, based on a police research priority. The placement provides a unique opportunity for students to put into practice their research training, whilst also gaining first-hand experience of the importance of evidence based policing. Below are some examples of student research projects:

This study of call handlers and police officers within Northumbria Police explores the different ways the management of mental health is executed, through a neoliberal perspective.

Operating Under the Cosh: Policing the Rural Landscape of Northumbria:

This research study looks to explore the difficulties of policing the more rural areas of North Tyneside and Northumberland, and shows how Northumbria Police deals with these issues through community engagement and reassurance initiatives.

Victim Trends in Human Trafficking and Modern Day Slavery in the Northumbria Police Force Area from 2012-2017:

Human trafficking and modern-day slavery have an increasing focus in recent years and therefore requires more forward-thinking policing strategies that are intelligence based, making them more useful to local and national policing authorities.

A Study into Domestic Violence and Austerity within Northumbria Police:

Using qualitative research, this study investigates if there is a relationship between domestic violence and austerity.

Offender Management: To what extent do offenders think the scheme works for them?

Using qualitative interviews and literature research, this project aims to address the lack of opinions from offenders currently on the offender management programme. This research has identified minor yet resolvable issues but highlighted women require an entirely different approach to that applied to men.

Does alcohol remain a determining influence in youth crime and deviance? Are drugs becoming more obtainable?

This small scale qualitative research project aims to identify whether there has been a decline in alcohol use amongst youths engaging in low level criminal and deviant behaviour and whether there has been a growth in drug usage, including new psychoactive substances (legal highs).

Domestic Violence and the police: Could the police do more to ensure a positive outcome for the most vulnerable of domestic violence victims?

This small-scale research explored the relationship between the police and domestic violence victims. The research found that whilst victim satisfaction overall was high and pleasing, there was room for improvement in the ‘follow-up’ areas of a case.

Investigating the Nature of the Role of an Integrated Offender Management Police Officer:

This is an exploratory study on the nature of the role of an Integrated Offender Management (IOM) police officer, based on their perceptions and experiences. The research concludes that the nature of the role of an IOM police officer is diverse but effective in managing offenders, although there is currently a lack of statistics and research to support this.

To what extent do the police and partnership agencies work alongside each other when tackling anti-social behaviour?

Ever since Vera Baird’s election in 2012, anti-social behaviour has been a policing priority for Northumbria police and has been part of their police and crime plan. This small scale research project focuses on how Northumbria Police aim to reduce anti-social behaviour, particularly through working alongside partnership agencies.

Do stakeholders feel that they are sufficiently informed about CEPOL activities?

Member State engagement with CEPOL

Does the extent of engagement relate to domestic arrangements in member states?

Do member states that are more satisfied and have their expectations met become more likely to engage in programmes?

Research Methodology

In addition to desk-based analysis of training provided, take-up rates and outcomes the project involves two key survey methods. A survey of 160 key stakeholders will chart their experiences and perceptions of CEPOL training programmes, with particular focus on various e-learning services CEPOL provide. Coupled with this will be semi-structured phone interviews with police and law enforcement staff involved in training to gauge perceptions of CEPOL's work.

Cybercrime & IT

Professor Pam Briggs is a founder member of the UK's new Research Institute in Science of Cybersecurity (RISCS), funded by GCHQ in association with Research Councils UK Global Uncertainty Programme, and has a specialist interest in behavioural psychology and cybersecurity.

Professor Tim J Wilson, Professor Chrisje Brants and Adam Jackson, along with their colleague Derek Johnson are members of a one million pound international research project into police activity on part of the Dark Web; Police Detectives on the TOR Network (A Study on Tensions between Privacy and Crime Fighting) (PDTOR). The PDTOR project follows the award of a multi-national research contract by three research councils: NordForsk (Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway Sweden, the Faroe Islands, Greenland, and Åland), the UK ESRC and the Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research and will draw heavily on the expertise based in the Northumbria Centre for Evidence and Criminal Justice Studies. The PDTOR project will see collaboration with colleagues from The Netherlands Open University, The Norwegian Police University College and Stockholm University in studying tensions between privacy and crime fighting on the TOR-network. In addition, the team will look at ways of ensuring that evidence of international criminal activity can be collected effectively and exchanged efficiently between different jurisdictions.

Forensic Science & Police Cooperation

Headed by Professor Martin Evison, the Northumbria Centre for Forensic Sciencesis a multi-disciplinary research centre that brings together a wide range of research themes, including forensic genetics, trace evidence, forensic anthropology, sociology, bioethics, and science and technology studies.

Dr Carole McCartney’s work focuses on criminal justice and policing collaboration across borders. Similarly, cross border cooperation features in work by Associate Professor Tanya Wyatt that examines trends in organised crime and the international trafficking of wildlife.

Dr Peter Sproat studies finance and counter-terrorism and the policing of organised crime.

Derek Johnson’s research work has focused on the Geography of Crime from various viewpoints. He was the Northumbria lead for a three year £1.25m funded project in cooperation with EU partners looking into the geography of inter-EU migrant offending across EU member states whilst also conducting funded research projects in cooperation with an English Police Force into the nature of offenders crime site selection and the ‘near repeat’ behavioural phenomena.

Other dimensions of vulnerability are examined by colleagues, within the Northern Hub for Excellence and Innovation in Child and Adult Safeguarding. Staff in the Hubundertake multi-method research that aims to optimise the life chances of children and adults who experience a range of vulnerabilities and who often have multiple and complex needs. The Hub member’s work reflects particular expertise in child protection, child deaths and serious case reviews, adult safeguarding, mental health, mental capacity and psychological therapies. Members of the Hub include qualified social workers, health and allied healthcare professionals, teachers, barristers and solicitors.

A number of colleagues within Northumbria Law School are actively researching in areas relating to policing and vulnerability including; Professor Tony Ward, Professor Ray Arthur, Associate Professor Nicola Wake and Ann Creaby-Attwood. Professor Tony Ward and Associate Professor Nicola Wake are researching in the area of human trafficking and Professor Ward has recently submitted an application for British Academy funding to work with police officers in further researching this area. Professor Ray Arthur is a leading scholar in the field of youth justice and Ann Creaby-Attwood’s research focusses on vulnerable offenders in the criminal justice system and in particular offenders with Autistic Spectrum Disorders (ASDs).